Whats your technique for 4WD in the snow?
#16
CF Veteran
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,348
Likes: 287
From: District of Columbia
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Listening to everyones comments tells me these Wranglers are not the best choice. Cheap and good dont always go hand in hand.
When entering the turn <20mph, using slow smooth steering inputs the front will immediately start to push. Lifting off the throttle slightly only increases the push. (auto trans) Using the brakes (left foot) to slow helps.
The rear will get loose at any point which I have attributed to weight, so keeping the tank full helps greatly.
Keeping the factory 15" steel wheels is preferred so time to start shopping for tires..
When entering the turn <20mph, using slow smooth steering inputs the front will immediately start to push. Lifting off the throttle slightly only increases the push. (auto trans) Using the brakes (left foot) to slow helps.
The rear will get loose at any point which I have attributed to weight, so keeping the tank full helps greatly.
Keeping the factory 15" steel wheels is preferred so time to start shopping for tires..
#19
CF Veteran
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 3,683
Likes: 8
From: Northern New Mexico
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
#20
Seasoned Member
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 458
Likes: 9
From: Apache Junction, AZ
Year: 1993
Model: Grand Cherokee(ZJ)
Engine: 4.0
#21
Beach Bum
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,123
Likes: 21
From: Cape Hatteras, North Carolina
Year: 2000 WJ
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
We had a nice snow fall recently and I found making turns a bit sketchy while in Full time 4wd. I'm an accomplished snow driver, although kali weather has spoiled me over time.
I'm running good tread depth GY Wranglers. Speeds are 25-35 mph tops. Yet when negotiating a turn, the back end keeps trying to over-take the front.
Is this a design issue with shortwheel bases?
Are the stock differentials needing an upgrade?
Or do I need to just slow down?
I'm running good tread depth GY Wranglers. Speeds are 25-35 mph tops. Yet when negotiating a turn, the back end keeps trying to over-take the front.
Is this a design issue with shortwheel bases?
Are the stock differentials needing an upgrade?
Or do I need to just slow down?
With that said, some of what you are experiencing is the nature of locked center differential. Front and rear axle follows a different track when turning, because they cannot turn at different speeds a wheel will have to break traction and slip.
Compared to Full-Time 4x4, steering performance and tracking is hindered by driving in Part-Time (not to be confused with crawling).
I sometimes drive forest trails at speed 'rally style'. Doing so in part-time makes jeep difficult to manage in powered turns and often understeers to the point I go off the trail. Full-time is much more controllable, jeep goes where I point it and I can be heavy on the throttle through turns.
#22
Old fart with a wrench
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 14,398
Likes: 729
From: Manlius, east of Syracuse, NY
Year: 2000 XJ Sport & WJ Laredo
Model: Grand Cherokee (WJ)
Engine: 4.0L
Just my opinion but I've had great luck with Cooper Discoverer AT3s. The best for traction and all year wear resistance. I deliver newspapers in deep snow before the plows come out to play and never got stuck unless I put it in a ditch, then low range got me out. I have the 242 t/case and I find part time DOES make the front end push whereas full time lets it roll thru corners better. If you've got the 231, you've only got part time. You might want to add one of these;
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WannaBREz
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